IRELAND: Dev's Try

Ever since Ireland achieved full independence, in 1949, Eamon de Valera's Fianna Fail (Soldiers of Destiny) Party has been out of office and without an issue on which to fight its way in again. Last week doughty old (68) De Valera made a try for a comeback. He missed by a margin no wider than a shamrock leaf.

In Ireland's first general elections since it became a republic, De Valera's party won 69 seats in Parliament. The four other parties and the independent candidates, formerly in a coalition under Prime Minister John Costello, got 78 seats. The question now was...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!